Gareth Southgate admits that despite tasting defeat for the first time in charge of England Under-21s, his side will learn and improve from their 3-2 reverse in France.
The Three Lions took a two-goal lead in a rain-drenched Brest thanks to a brace from Harry Kane, before the hosts scored three goals without reply to turn the scoreline around.
France 3-2 England
Under-21 International
Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest
Monday 17 November 2014
And while France will not be joining England in next summer’s Euro Finals, Southgate knows that they will not face many tougher tasks in their preparations.
“We knew they were a powerful and athletic team and a different test to what we’ve faced before, which is why we came,” he said.
“With the weather the way it was, that made it more of a physical game and there were so many mis-placed passed with people struggling to stay up on their feet.
“I thought we were fortunate to be 2-0 ahead and in the end, we haven’t really done enough to win the game.
“That said, it was exactly the sort of test that we wanted and had we hung on for 2-2 away in France then that would have been an outstanding result.
Harry Kane taps in his second of the night
“We haven’t managed to do that, and there’s a lot of disappointment in the dressing room but I don’t think that will do us any harm in the long run.”
The conditions in place after a wet day in Brittany and heavy rain throughout the first half certainly suited the physically powerful host side, who levelled things up through Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo before taking the lead in the second half.
“What we have
shown is that we
can score goals”
Gareth Southgate England U21s head coach
But Southgate was pleased with certain aspects of his side’s performance, particularly Kane’s clinical finishing.
“We couldn’t quite get hold of the ball in the first half to play the way that we have done and they’ve dictated the game,” he admitted.
“In the second half, we had a bit more control of possession without being able to create the chances that we had done.
“But what we have shown is that we can score goals.
“We had to deal with one-v-one situations and aggressive, quick players in those situations and we’ll be much better for that experience.”
